Re: Scared to give up the scale

[Guest guest]

Thank you!

I didn't. Really think I was much affected by the numbers anyway,though I do

like data in general, but I think I do tend to eat more when I've " lost " a

little weight.... I dunno. I guess I'll see how I end up feeling.

Tilley

>

> > My bathroom scale seems to be broken (it gives wildly different readings,

and then isn't zeroing out properly), and this seems the perfect opportunity to

give it up altogether, but I'm scared to. I think I'm holding onto the idea

that if I don't weigh myself every day that I'll gain tons of weight (even

though weighing myself every day didn't stop me from gaining 30 pounds this past

year). I know it makes no sense, but still, there it is. Will I really be

better off without a scale?

> >

> > Tilley

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I have a scale, don't really plan on throwing it out but haven't thought about

it much either way. It's waaaay to early in this process for me to get on a

scale without triggering diet thinking. For me, I just feel like I have to give

all of that up ( " have I lost weight this week? " , " oh no I regained that 3/4 of a

pound! " , " did I lose weight after not eating such and such? " , " am I making

progress on IE or should I go on a diet? " ) if I'm going to move into peace and

trust with my body's processes and input around food.

How am I going to trust my body if it seems to be saying that it wants cereal if

I gained a pound yesterday? Too complicated for my brain.

And in truth, I haven't even gotten to the body part very often - I'm still

wrestling with trusting legalization and finding that the diet police also

" choose " things to eat rather than simply restrict. That and not quite being

willing every meal to stop when I've had that sigh and there's something really,

really good on my plate.

But, I was never much of a weigher either... That's a whole different story...

Sandarah

> > > > >

> > > > > My bathroom scale seems to be broken (it gives wildly different

readings, and then isn't zeroing out properly), and this seems the perfect

opportunity to give it up altogether, but I'm scared to. I think I'm holding

onto the idea that if I don't weigh myself every day that I'll gain tons of

weight (even though weighing myself every day didn't stop me from gaining 30

pounds this past year). I know it makes no sense, but still, there it is. Will

I really be better off without a scale?

> > > > >

> > > > > Tilley

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

UGH!!! I totally feel your pain! Just last night I was telling my boyfriend how

relieved and elated I've felt for the last month (since I stopped actively

calorie counting and transitioned to IE.) So what do I do this morning? I

weighed myself, and felt like an idiot for having done so since it made me

ridiculously cranky for the rest of the day.

I just bought the stupid thing a few months ago, so I can't rationalize dumping

it, but I think I'm going to have it stowed on the top shelf of my closet. I'm

5'1, so that might as well be Mars. I'd trust myself to keep it under the bed,

but that's where it has been and I keep pulling that bastard out every morning,

like masochistic clockwork.

While it can sour my day, I will say, at least it stopped doing what Sarab

mentioned, dictating whether I was going to binge or starve myself through my

day. I can definitely thank IE for that.

Good luck Tilley! Your post inspired me to maroon my scale, I hope you can find

the will to do the same.

-Sherrie

> > > > >

> > > > > My bathroom scale seems to be broken (it gives wildly different

readings, and then isn't zeroing out properly), and this seems the perfect

opportunity to give it up altogether, but I'm scared to. I think I'm holding

onto the idea that if I don't weigh myself every day that I'll gain tons of

weight (even though weighing myself every day didn't stop me from gaining 30

pounds this past year). I know it makes no sense, but still, there it is. Will

I really be better off without a scale?

> > > > >

> > > > > Tilley

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

UGH!!! I totally feel your pain! Just last night I was telling my boyfriend how

relieved and elated I've felt for the last month (since I stopped actively

calorie counting and transitioned to IE.) So what do I do this morning? I

weighed myself, and felt like an idiot for having done so since it made me

ridiculously cranky for the rest of the day.

I just bought the stupid thing a few months ago, so I can't rationalize dumping

it, but I think I'm going to have it stowed on the top shelf of my closet. I'm

5'1, so that might as well be Mars. I'd trust myself to keep it under the bed,

but that's where it has been and I keep pulling that bastard out every morning,

like masochistic clockwork.

While it can sour my day, I will say, at least it stopped doing what Sarab

mentioned, dictating whether I was going to binge or starve myself through my

day. I can definitely thank IE for that.

Good luck Tilley! Your post inspired me to maroon my scale, I hope you can find

the will to do the same.

-Sherrie

> > > > >

> > > > > My bathroom scale seems to be broken (it gives wildly different

readings, and then isn't zeroing out properly), and this seems the perfect

opportunity to give it up altogether, but I'm scared to. I think I'm holding

onto the idea that if I don't weigh myself every day that I'll gain tons of

weight (even though weighing myself every day didn't stop me from gaining 30

pounds this past year). I know it makes no sense, but still, there it is. Will

I really be better off without a scale?

> > > > >

> > > > > Tilley

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

UGH!!! I totally feel your pain! Just last night I was telling my boyfriend how

relieved and elated I've felt for the last month (since I stopped actively

calorie counting and transitioned to IE.) So what do I do this morning? I

weighed myself, and felt like an idiot for having done so since it made me

ridiculously cranky for the rest of the day.

I just bought the stupid thing a few months ago, so I can't rationalize dumping

it, but I think I'm going to have it stowed on the top shelf of my closet. I'm

5'1, so that might as well be Mars. I'd trust myself to keep it under the bed,

but that's where it has been and I keep pulling that bastard out every morning,

like masochistic clockwork.

While it can sour my day, I will say, at least it stopped doing what Sarab

mentioned, dictating whether I was going to binge or starve myself through my

day. I can definitely thank IE for that.

Good luck Tilley! Your post inspired me to maroon my scale, I hope you can find

the will to do the same.

-Sherrie

> > > > >

> > > > > My bathroom scale seems to be broken (it gives wildly different

readings, and then isn't zeroing out properly), and this seems the perfect

opportunity to give it up altogether, but I'm scared to. I think I'm holding

onto the idea that if I don't weigh myself every day that I'll gain tons of

weight (even though weighing myself every day didn't stop me from gaining 30

pounds this past year). I know it makes no sense, but still, there it is. Will

I really be better off without a scale?

> > > > >

> > > > > Tilley

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Great thought Paddy!

I just moved my very dusty scale out of its 'resting place' back by the toilet

(appropriate location as I see it - lol). I'm in the process of painting our

bathroom and its the first time I've touched, other than to dust occasionally,

what I consider an instrument of self torture, in months maybe years. My first

thought was to get rid of it as I just do NOT 'use' it nor intend to ever again.

However its very presence is somewhat an in-your-face gesture to diet

police/mentality for me. I've so moved on from having my leash jerked by numbers

and whenever I even think of 'weight' I shift over to " Am I comfortable

(body-wise)? " for checking in with myself.

BEST to you all, Katcha

IEing since March 2007

>

> > Will I really be better off without a scale?

>

> Turn the question around.

>

> Will you really be better off with a scale?

>

> Paddy

>

[Guest guest]

Great thought Paddy!

I just moved my very dusty scale out of its 'resting place' back by the toilet

(appropriate location as I see it - lol). I'm in the process of painting our

bathroom and its the first time I've touched, other than to dust occasionally,

what I consider an instrument of self torture, in months maybe years. My first

thought was to get rid of it as I just do NOT 'use' it nor intend to ever again.

However its very presence is somewhat an in-your-face gesture to diet

police/mentality for me. I've so moved on from having my leash jerked by numbers

and whenever I even think of 'weight' I shift over to " Am I comfortable

(body-wise)? " for checking in with myself.

BEST to you all, Katcha

IEing since March 2007

>

> > Will I really be better off without a scale?

>

> Turn the question around.

>

> Will you really be better off with a scale?

>

> Paddy

>

[Guest guest]

Great thought Paddy!

I just moved my very dusty scale out of its 'resting place' back by the toilet

(appropriate location as I see it - lol). I'm in the process of painting our

bathroom and its the first time I've touched, other than to dust occasionally,

what I consider an instrument of self torture, in months maybe years. My first

thought was to get rid of it as I just do NOT 'use' it nor intend to ever again.

However its very presence is somewhat an in-your-face gesture to diet

police/mentality for me. I've so moved on from having my leash jerked by numbers

and whenever I even think of 'weight' I shift over to " Am I comfortable

(body-wise)? " for checking in with myself.

BEST to you all, Katcha

IEing since March 2007

>

> > Will I really be better off without a scale?

>

> Turn the question around.

>

> Will you really be better off with a scale?

>

> Paddy

>

[Guest guest]

I've seen several scales for sale at thrift stores - must be a reason there are

so many there ;-)

Katcha

IEing simce March 2007

> Should you find yourself in mourning for longer than you feel is appropriate

take a trip to your nearest Walmart and buy yourself another white liar.

> Sunny

[Guest guest]

I've seen several scales for sale at thrift stores - must be a reason there are

so many there ;-)

Katcha

IEing simce March 2007

> Should you find yourself in mourning for longer than you feel is appropriate

take a trip to your nearest Walmart and buy yourself another white liar.

> Sunny

[Guest guest]

Sara, I've long come to the conclusion that life doesn't hold any 100% iron clad

guarantees - including 'ensuring nutrition'. I am content to supplement with

vitamins and honor my own drives - craves included - instead of being a guinea

pig in a 'nutritional' lab eating 'perfect values' determined by AFTER THE FACT

assessments. My body receives a variety of foods and seems to appreciate those

on a fluctuating/rotating basis. Even if I 'OD' on an item, its not long before

it has lost it allure and I find something else that grabs my (body's)

attention.

I can remember the first time I really wanted to have some steamed broccoli

instead of a (sweet/crunchy) snack! This body of mine really could and will

'tell' me what it needs, nutrition wise, if I use it as a source of direction

instead of focusing on what 'experts' would have to say I SHOULD eat.

BEST to you, Katcha

IEing since March 2007

>

> How do people who are eating totally intuitively ensure you get what you need?

I mean, I know the idea is to listen to your body and it will crave what you

need, but the reality is there are so many highly-processed, nutritionally-void

foods available that probably shouldn't even be legal and you really have to

work to find natural, whole, nutrient-dense ones. How does that affect what our

bodies crave, or does it? Do people who eat intuitively eat lots of fruit and

veggies every day? Do you get to a point where you feel that is what you choose

to eat?

>

> Sara

[Guest guest]

Sara, I've long come to the conclusion that life doesn't hold any 100% iron clad

guarantees - including 'ensuring nutrition'. I am content to supplement with

vitamins and honor my own drives - craves included - instead of being a guinea

pig in a 'nutritional' lab eating 'perfect values' determined by AFTER THE FACT

assessments. My body receives a variety of foods and seems to appreciate those

on a fluctuating/rotating basis. Even if I 'OD' on an item, its not long before

it has lost it allure and I find something else that grabs my (body's)

attention.

I can remember the first time I really wanted to have some steamed broccoli

instead of a (sweet/crunchy) snack! This body of mine really could and will

'tell' me what it needs, nutrition wise, if I use it as a source of direction

instead of focusing on what 'experts' would have to say I SHOULD eat.

BEST to you, Katcha

IEing since March 2007

>

> How do people who are eating totally intuitively ensure you get what you need?

I mean, I know the idea is to listen to your body and it will crave what you

need, but the reality is there are so many highly-processed, nutritionally-void

foods available that probably shouldn't even be legal and you really have to

work to find natural, whole, nutrient-dense ones. How does that affect what our

bodies crave, or does it? Do people who eat intuitively eat lots of fruit and

veggies every day? Do you get to a point where you feel that is what you choose

to eat?

>

> Sara

[Guest guest]

Now there's an idea for a new 'appliance' to market - a 'scale' that is like the

old Eight Ball toy - when you step on it digital affirmations appear!

LOL- Katcha

IEing since March 2007

> >

> > > My bathroom scale seems to be broken (it gives wildly different readings,

and then isn't zeroing out properly), and this seems the perfect opportunity to

give it up altogether, but I'm scared to. I think I'm holding onto the idea that

if I don't weigh myself every day that I'll gain tons of weight (even though

weighing myself every day didn't stop me from gaining 30 pounds this past year).

I know it makes no sense, but still, there it is. Will I really be better off

without a scale?

> > >

> > > Tilley

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ------------------------------------

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Now there's an idea for a new 'appliance' to market - a 'scale' that is like the

old Eight Ball toy - when you step on it digital affirmations appear!

LOL- Katcha

IEing since March 2007

> >

> > > My bathroom scale seems to be broken (it gives wildly different readings,

and then isn't zeroing out properly), and this seems the perfect opportunity to

give it up altogether, but I'm scared to. I think I'm holding onto the idea that

if I don't weigh myself every day that I'll gain tons of weight (even though

weighing myself every day didn't stop me from gaining 30 pounds this past year).

I know it makes no sense, but still, there it is. Will I really be better off

without a scale?

> > >

> > > Tilley

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ------------------------------------

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Now there's an idea for a new 'appliance' to market - a 'scale' that is like the

old Eight Ball toy - when you step on it digital affirmations appear!

LOL- Katcha

IEing since March 2007

> >

> > > My bathroom scale seems to be broken (it gives wildly different readings,

and then isn't zeroing out properly), and this seems the perfect opportunity to

give it up altogether, but I'm scared to. I think I'm holding onto the idea that

if I don't weigh myself every day that I'll gain tons of weight (even though

weighing myself every day didn't stop me from gaining 30 pounds this past year).

I know it makes no sense, but still, there it is. Will I really be better off

without a scale?

> > >

> > > Tilley

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ------------------------------------

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Sara,

This is in response to your question about whether people who eat intuitively

eat a lot of fruits and veggies.

I too, worry that I can't trust my body to let me know what it needs. My default

eating preference for many years has been anything cheesy or salty. Fruits and

veggies have been the LAST thing on my mind!!! One strange thing that used to

happen though, was that I had this weird sense that I wasn't ALLOWED to have

fruits and veggies. Like I would go to the fridge and have a brief flicker of a

thought like, " Gee, that apple looks good, " but then this thought was almost

instantaneously replaced with " You can't eat that. Eat some cheese " -- which I

pretty much always did! Usually, I didn't usually eat more than one veggie/fruit

per day -- if that!

So the other day, I decided to eat completely intuitively, and made it a point

to give myself permission to choose veggies and fruits if (and only if) I wanted

them. I had gone to the store, and stocked up on lots of nutritious foods, so I

had a lot in my fridge.

When the end of the day came, I knew that I had eaten intuitively, and had kept

well within fullness/satiety, but I wanted to see how nutritious my choices

were, so I wrote a list of everything I had eaten that day. Not quantities, just

each item I had eaten. I was SHOCKED at how nutritious my choices were! Just so

you can see, I'm going to list everything I ate that day below, grouped by food

type. These are just the ingredients, many of these things were combined into

recipes.

blueberries (twice)

red pepper

spinach and arugula

tomato

kiwi

vegetable juice

grapefruit

tuna

bacon

plain yogurt

cheese

cottage cheese

walnuts (twice)

olives

rye bread (twice)

olive oil

butter

walnut oil

balsamic vinegar

pesto (twice)

mayonnaise

rice wine vinegar

dark chocolate

The strange thing is that I think I have to actually give myself permission to

like and choose fruits and veggies, and to realize that it's okay for me to eat

them. I have no idea why I would feel that way, except maybe to say that there

may be some part of me that just doesn't think I'm a person who wants fruits and

veggies, and therefore doesn't give myself permission to eat them. Weird, I

know, but there it is.

All this to say that I think learning to give yourself permission to like and

eat fruits and veggies is a process, but all in all I do think our bodies can be

trusted to tell us what we need -- if we will learn to listen and give ourselves

permission to change how we perceive ourselves (as a person who likes fruits and

veggies, as opposed to a person who doesn't).

Joanna

> > > >

> > > > My bathroom scale seems to be broken (it gives wildly different

readings, and then isn't zeroing out properly), and this seems the perfect

opportunity to give it up altogether, but I'm scared to. I think I'm holding

onto the idea that if I don't weigh myself every day that I'll gain tons of

weight (even though weighing myself every day didn't stop me from gaining 30

pounds this past year). I know it makes no sense, but still, there it is. Will

I really be better off without a scale?

> > > >

> > > > Tilley

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sara,

This is in response to your question about whether people who eat intuitively

eat a lot of fruits and veggies.

I too, worry that I can't trust my body to let me know what it needs. My default

eating preference for many years has been anything cheesy or salty. Fruits and

veggies have been the LAST thing on my mind!!! One strange thing that used to

happen though, was that I had this weird sense that I wasn't ALLOWED to have

fruits and veggies. Like I would go to the fridge and have a brief flicker of a

thought like, " Gee, that apple looks good, " but then this thought was almost

instantaneously replaced with " You can't eat that. Eat some cheese " -- which I

pretty much always did! Usually, I didn't usually eat more than one veggie/fruit

per day -- if that!

So the other day, I decided to eat completely intuitively, and made it a point

to give myself permission to choose veggies and fruits if (and only if) I wanted

them. I had gone to the store, and stocked up on lots of nutritious foods, so I

had a lot in my fridge.

When the end of the day came, I knew that I had eaten intuitively, and had kept

well within fullness/satiety, but I wanted to see how nutritious my choices

were, so I wrote a list of everything I had eaten that day. Not quantities, just

each item I had eaten. I was SHOCKED at how nutritious my choices were! Just so

you can see, I'm going to list everything I ate that day below, grouped by food

type. These are just the ingredients, many of these things were combined into

recipes.

blueberries (twice)

red pepper

spinach and arugula

tomato

kiwi

vegetable juice

grapefruit

tuna

bacon

plain yogurt

cheese

cottage cheese

walnuts (twice)

olives

rye bread (twice)

olive oil

butter

walnut oil

balsamic vinegar

pesto (twice)

mayonnaise

rice wine vinegar

dark chocolate

The strange thing is that I think I have to actually give myself permission to

like and choose fruits and veggies, and to realize that it's okay for me to eat

them. I have no idea why I would feel that way, except maybe to say that there

may be some part of me that just doesn't think I'm a person who wants fruits and

veggies, and therefore doesn't give myself permission to eat them. Weird, I

know, but there it is.

All this to say that I think learning to give yourself permission to like and

eat fruits and veggies is a process, but all in all I do think our bodies can be

trusted to tell us what we need -- if we will learn to listen and give ourselves

permission to change how we perceive ourselves (as a person who likes fruits and

veggies, as opposed to a person who doesn't).

Joanna

> > > >

> > > > My bathroom scale seems to be broken (it gives wildly different

readings, and then isn't zeroing out properly), and this seems the perfect

opportunity to give it up altogether, but I'm scared to. I think I'm holding

onto the idea that if I don't weigh myself every day that I'll gain tons of

weight (even though weighing myself every day didn't stop me from gaining 30

pounds this past year). I know it makes no sense, but still, there it is. Will

I really be better off without a scale?

> > > >

> > > > Tilley

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sara,

This is in response to your question about whether people who eat intuitively

eat a lot of fruits and veggies.

I too, worry that I can't trust my body to let me know what it needs. My default

eating preference for many years has been anything cheesy or salty. Fruits and

veggies have been the LAST thing on my mind!!! One strange thing that used to

happen though, was that I had this weird sense that I wasn't ALLOWED to have

fruits and veggies. Like I would go to the fridge and have a brief flicker of a

thought like, " Gee, that apple looks good, " but then this thought was almost

instantaneously replaced with " You can't eat that. Eat some cheese " -- which I

pretty much always did! Usually, I didn't usually eat more than one veggie/fruit

per day -- if that!

So the other day, I decided to eat completely intuitively, and made it a point

to give myself permission to choose veggies and fruits if (and only if) I wanted

them. I had gone to the store, and stocked up on lots of nutritious foods, so I

had a lot in my fridge.

When the end of the day came, I knew that I had eaten intuitively, and had kept

well within fullness/satiety, but I wanted to see how nutritious my choices

were, so I wrote a list of everything I had eaten that day. Not quantities, just

each item I had eaten. I was SHOCKED at how nutritious my choices were! Just so

you can see, I'm going to list everything I ate that day below, grouped by food

type. These are just the ingredients, many of these things were combined into

recipes.

blueberries (twice)

red pepper

spinach and arugula

tomato

kiwi

vegetable juice

grapefruit

tuna

bacon

plain yogurt

cheese

cottage cheese

walnuts (twice)

olives

rye bread (twice)

olive oil

butter

walnut oil

balsamic vinegar

pesto (twice)

mayonnaise

rice wine vinegar

dark chocolate

The strange thing is that I think I have to actually give myself permission to

like and choose fruits and veggies, and to realize that it's okay for me to eat

them. I have no idea why I would feel that way, except maybe to say that there

may be some part of me that just doesn't think I'm a person who wants fruits and

veggies, and therefore doesn't give myself permission to eat them. Weird, I

know, but there it is.

All this to say that I think learning to give yourself permission to like and

eat fruits and veggies is a process, but all in all I do think our bodies can be

trusted to tell us what we need -- if we will learn to listen and give ourselves

permission to change how we perceive ourselves (as a person who likes fruits and

veggies, as opposed to a person who doesn't).

Joanna

> > > >

> > > > My bathroom scale seems to be broken (it gives wildly different

readings, and then isn't zeroing out properly), and this seems the perfect

opportunity to give it up altogether, but I'm scared to. I think I'm holding

onto the idea that if I don't weigh myself every day that I'll gain tons of

weight (even though weighing myself every day didn't stop me from gaining 30

pounds this past year). I know it makes no sense, but still, there it is. Will

I really be better off without a scale?

> > > >

> > > > Tilley

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Tilley, the wacky thing is that we ARE! But why we don't either see or accept

what IS really speaks volumes. I hope you can give yourself a big HUG and tell

yourself you are a lovely valuable person too. I'm honored to have you in this

group and inspired by your efforts. Why the heck you aren't for yourself is

something that sings to me too.

ehugs, Katcha

IEing since March 2007

> Can't I just BE?

>

> Sigh.

>

> Tilley

[Guest guest]

Tilley, the wacky thing is that we ARE! But why we don't either see or accept

what IS really speaks volumes. I hope you can give yourself a big HUG and tell

yourself you are a lovely valuable person too. I'm honored to have you in this

group and inspired by your efforts. Why the heck you aren't for yourself is

something that sings to me too.

ehugs, Katcha

IEing since March 2007

> Can't I just BE?

>

> Sigh.

>

> Tilley

[Guest guest]

Tilley, the wacky thing is that we ARE! But why we don't either see or accept

what IS really speaks volumes. I hope you can give yourself a big HUG and tell

yourself you are a lovely valuable person too. I'm honored to have you in this

group and inspired by your efforts. Why the heck you aren't for yourself is

something that sings to me too.

ehugs, Katcha

IEing since March 2007

> Can't I just BE?

>

> Sigh.

>

> Tilley

[Guest guest]

Sara,

This is something I struggle with, too. I think in theory we are supposed to eventually start choosing a balanced diet because, ultimately, this is what the body wants. However, I also think our choices are manipulated by all the highly-processed packaged food out there with exaggerated amounts of sugar, salt, fat, and chemicals. While in times past (way past), our bodies would have translated the need for the quick energy of sugary foods into a craving for apples or oranges or pears, now it is translated into a craving for Oreos and the like. And when that craving hits, an apple just doesn't cut it. I am committed to the idea that restriction only breeds out-sized cravings, but it bothers me to eat these foods that I don't respect. But seeing these items as "bad" only starts the diet mentality, restriction/binge cycle over again. So, what to do? Is making an effort to eat what I consider to be more healthfully (more vegetables and

fruits, which I do genuinely love) intuitive?

Mimi

Subject: Re: Scared to give up the scaleTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Sunday, September 11, 2011, 2:52 PM

Jane (and everyone),At first it was a lot of counting. I did it one afternoon, just made myself a little chart. At this point it's all in my head. However, it's not for everyone, I'm sure, and as I said, not 100% intuitive. However, I did it for 2 reasons. I did want to focus on getting the nutrients my body needs, and I had a heck of a time knowing when and then stopping when I was satisfied. I do have to make myself stop with my semi-plan, but I am physically satisfied once I do. So in a way it's learning what it feels like to be satisfied for me. The nutritionist also explained to me how eating a combination of carbs, fats, and pro keeps me satiated for 3.5-4 hours, and it does.How do people who are eating totally intuitively ensure you get what you need? I mean, I know the idea is to listen to your body and it will crave what you need, but the reality is there are so many highly-processed, nutritionally-void foods available that

probably shouldn't even be legal and you really have to work to find natural, whole, nutrient-dense ones. How does that affect what our bodies crave, or does it? Do people who eat intuitively eat lots of fruit and veggies every day? Do you get to a point where you feel that is what you choose to eat?Sara

[Guest guest]

Sara,

This is something I struggle with, too. I think in theory we are supposed to eventually start choosing a balanced diet because, ultimately, this is what the body wants. However, I also think our choices are manipulated by all the highly-processed packaged food out there with exaggerated amounts of sugar, salt, fat, and chemicals. While in times past (way past), our bodies would have translated the need for the quick energy of sugary foods into a craving for apples or oranges or pears, now it is translated into a craving for Oreos and the like. And when that craving hits, an apple just doesn't cut it. I am committed to the idea that restriction only breeds out-sized cravings, but it bothers me to eat these foods that I don't respect. But seeing these items as "bad" only starts the diet mentality, restriction/binge cycle over again. So, what to do? Is making an effort to eat what I consider to be more healthfully (more vegetables and

fruits, which I do genuinely love) intuitive?

Mimi

Subject: Re: Scared to give up the scaleTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Sunday, September 11, 2011, 2:52 PM

Jane (and everyone),At first it was a lot of counting. I did it one afternoon, just made myself a little chart. At this point it's all in my head. However, it's not for everyone, I'm sure, and as I said, not 100% intuitive. However, I did it for 2 reasons. I did want to focus on getting the nutrients my body needs, and I had a heck of a time knowing when and then stopping when I was satisfied. I do have to make myself stop with my semi-plan, but I am physically satisfied once I do. So in a way it's learning what it feels like to be satisfied for me. The nutritionist also explained to me how eating a combination of carbs, fats, and pro keeps me satiated for 3.5-4 hours, and it does.How do people who are eating totally intuitively ensure you get what you need? I mean, I know the idea is to listen to your body and it will crave what you need, but the reality is there are so many highly-processed, nutritionally-void foods available that

probably shouldn't even be legal and you really have to work to find natural, whole, nutrient-dense ones. How does that affect what our bodies crave, or does it? Do people who eat intuitively eat lots of fruit and veggies every day? Do you get to a point where you feel that is what you choose to eat?Sara

[Guest guest]

Sara,

This is something I struggle with, too. I think in theory we are supposed to eventually start choosing a balanced diet because, ultimately, this is what the body wants. However, I also think our choices are manipulated by all the highly-processed packaged food out there with exaggerated amounts of sugar, salt, fat, and chemicals. While in times past (way past), our bodies would have translated the need for the quick energy of sugary foods into a craving for apples or oranges or pears, now it is translated into a craving for Oreos and the like. And when that craving hits, an apple just doesn't cut it. I am committed to the idea that restriction only breeds out-sized cravings, but it bothers me to eat these foods that I don't respect. But seeing these items as "bad" only starts the diet mentality, restriction/binge cycle over again. So, what to do? Is making an effort to eat what I consider to be more healthfully (more vegetables and

fruits, which I do genuinely love) intuitive?

Mimi

Subject: Re: Scared to give up the scaleTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Sunday, September 11, 2011, 2:52 PM

Jane (and everyone),At first it was a lot of counting. I did it one afternoon, just made myself a little chart. At this point it's all in my head. However, it's not for everyone, I'm sure, and as I said, not 100% intuitive. However, I did it for 2 reasons. I did want to focus on getting the nutrients my body needs, and I had a heck of a time knowing when and then stopping when I was satisfied. I do have to make myself stop with my semi-plan, but I am physically satisfied once I do. So in a way it's learning what it feels like to be satisfied for me. The nutritionist also explained to me how eating a combination of carbs, fats, and pro keeps me satiated for 3.5-4 hours, and it does.How do people who are eating totally intuitively ensure you get what you need? I mean, I know the idea is to listen to your body and it will crave what you need, but the reality is there are so many highly-processed, nutritionally-void foods available that

probably shouldn't even be legal and you really have to work to find natural, whole, nutrient-dense ones. How does that affect what our bodies crave, or does it? Do people who eat intuitively eat lots of fruit and veggies every day? Do you get to a point where you feel that is what you choose to eat?Sara

[Guest guest]

Mimi I agree with much of what you say - huge grocery stores full of heavily

processed, ready to eat taste teasers reflect the reality you addressed! What I

have always done, and continue to do, is to keep our kitchen as well stocked

with fresh and more basic type foods. I CAN have chocolate any time I want it .

.. . though I may have to make a pudding or cookies or even icing (which is a

good enough candy substitute if placed in the frig.). And when I find myself

wanting something 'sweet' I will mentally run thru a list of what's available

including fruit - fresh, canned or dried.

But then there are times when my little inner self stamps her feet and wants

SWEETS! So we go to the kitchen, get out my recipes and appease the rebelling

little monster (ha ha).

I've often mused that human bodies evolved in a world where 'carb's were are

seasonal if not RARE treat. No wonder we are so geared and easily swayed by

sweets ;-) But beyond taste and immediate sugar high, one must take into the

entire 'sweet' experience such later effects as crashing 'low' after the rush is

processed and sluggishness etc. Its almost like the old joke about jumping off a

tall building - at every floor its 'good so far!' - but then there's the

pavement . . .

Intuitive is as intuitive does ;-) Trust yourself and it will work for you.

Katcha

IEing since March 2007

>

> Sara,

>  

> This is something I struggle with, too. I think in theory we are supposed to

eventually start choosing a balanced diet because, ultimately, this is what the

body wants. However, I also think our choices are manipulated by all the

highly-processed packaged food out there with exaggerated amounts of sugar,

salt, fat, and  chemicals. While in times past (way past), our bodies would have

translated the need for the quick energy of sugary foods into a craving for

apples or oranges or pears, now it is translated into a craving for Oreos and

the like. And when that craving hits, an apple just doesn't cut it. I am

committed to the idea that restriction only breeds out-sized cravings, but it

bothers me to eat these foods that I don't respect. But seeing these items as

" bad " only starts the diet mentality, restriction/binge cycle over again. So,

what to do? Is making an effort to eat what I consider to be more healthfully

(more vegetables and fruits, which I do

> genuinely love) intuitive?

>  

> Mimi

>